The Pillars of the Earth Coming to TV

Munich-based boutique producer-distributor Tandem Communications has nailed down the rights to Ken Follett’s best-seller “The Pillars of the Earth” to produce as a limited series with Ridley and Tony Scott’s Scott Free Prods, says The Hollywood Reporter.

Follett’s novel is a sweeping tale of love, war and religious strife set in 12th century England during the building of the fictional Kingsbridge Cathedral. Originally published in 1989, “Pillars” has sold more than 14 million copies worldwide and recently was picked by Oprah Winfrey as a selection for her book club.

“We’d like to capitalize on the tremendous success that’s been fueled by Oprah Winfrey’s identification of the book,” Scott Free president of television David Zucker said. “We hope to get the series in front of an audience in the next year or so.”

Tandem and Scott Free are planning “Pillars” as a limited series along the lines of Showtime’s “The Tudors.” Follett will not adapt his own novel, but Zucker said the author would be “as involved as he wants to” with the production.

Zucker said Scott Free would be finalizing a deal with an American writer within the next week or so, and depending on the scripter’s conception of the story line, the company would decide whether the series should be the normal eight episodes or more.